Anger after street light is erected outside Sheffield home

Angry Ryan Fox says he is set for endless sleepless nights - after a street light was erected five metres away from his bedroom window.

Ryan cannot understand why Sheffield Council has decided to move the location of the light on Waterthorpe Gardens in Westfield.

The 37-year-old said the light is now less than five metres from his window.

“The lighting positions already in place have been sufficient for the last 40 years - why do they need to be moved now?” he asked.

“I can’t understand why they’ve done it.

“I complained to the council when the hole was dug and I was told someone would get back to me within five days.

“The following day the light outside our house was dropped in.

“We had a nice view of trees from our house - and now all we see is a lamppost.”

Ryan said the work, which is part of the council’s Streets Ahead scheme, has caused huge disruption for locals too, with pedestrians forced to walk over gardens because barriers prevent them from using the footpath.

Coun Jack Scott, cabinet member for Streetscene, said all street lights are being replaced and, in many cases, the lighting columns have to be moved to comply with British standards and to give an equal spread of light.

He said: “Because the lighting must meet British standards we do not consult on the positioning of street lights, however we try to communicate with affected residents about all planned works under this project.

“In March we notified local residents that works would be completed in Waterthorpe Gardens, but were unable to give a timescale at that point.”